How the Format Works

The tournament runs during November and December, designating certain regular-season games as tournament contests. The structure:

• Group Stage: All 30 teams divided into six groups of five (three per conference). Each team plays four group-stage games against group opponents.
• Quarterfinals: Top team from each group plus two wild cards per conference (8 total teams) advance to single-elimination quarterfinals.
• Semifinals and Final: Quarterfinal winners advance through a bracket. The championship game is played at a neutral site in Las Vegas in mid-December.

Do Tournament Games Count in the Standings?

Yes — every tournament game counts as a regular-season game in both the win-loss record and all player statistics. The tournament adds no additional games to the schedule; it re-designates existing regular-season contests as tournament games.

Prize Money: Why Teams Take It Seriously

• Championship team: $500,000 per player — paid directly by the NBA, separate from team salary
• Runner-up: $200,000 per player
• Semifinalists: $100,000 per player
• Quarterfinal exits: $50,000 per player

A 15-player championship roster distributes $7.5 million total. This figure is meaningful enough that even marginal roster players have genuine financial motivation to compete in tournament games, and star players have cited the prize money as a real source of competitive drive.

Tournament Winners

• 2023-24: Los Angeles Lakers — Anthony Davis won the tournament MVP in a dominant run
• 2024-25: Oklahoma City Thunder — SGA won tournament MVP; OKC went on to win the full NBA championship the same season

The Court Designs: Instantly Recognizable

One of the most immediately distinctive features of the tournament is its unique court designs. Each team plays group-stage games on specially designed courts with bold tournament-specific color schemes different from their standard floors. The designs generated enormous social media coverage in the first year and have become a visual signature of the format.

Why the NBA Introduced the Tournament

The in-season tournament serves several goals: creating must-watch early-season games when fan engagement traditionally lags; giving lower-seeded teams meaningful competition beyond playoff aspirations; and building a marquee event in Las Vegas that serves as both a product and a promotional vehicle for the league’s expansion into the sports betting market.

Frequently Asked Questions: NBA In-Season Tournament

Do tournament games count in the regular season record?

Yes. Every tournament game counts as a regular-season win or loss.

How much do players earn for winning the tournament?

Championship players receive $500,000 each, paid directly by the NBA separate from their team salary.

Who won the first NBA In-Season Tournament?

The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural 2023-24 tournament. Anthony Davis was named tournament MVP.

Read More: NBA Steals Leaders: The Greatest Ball Hawks in NBA History

Conclusion